Florida Football: 2 Pick-Sixes gives Gators lead at half

Florida football let their defense spot them an early lead against Michigan with not one, but two first half pick-sixes to give the Gators a 17-13 lead.

That’s right. Florida has not scored on offensive touchdown so far against Michigan, but they lead the Wolverines thanks to a pair of phenomenal defensive plays.

The Gators received plenty of press entering their Week 1 tilt with the Wolverines, but it wasn’t any good news. They had 10 players suspended for the game fora a myriad of reasons. That included their best receiver Antonio Calloway and their No. 1 running back, Jordan Scarlett.

How would an already underwhelming offense do without two of their best offensive weapons? With freshman Feliepe Franks under center it didn’t look like there was much hope for the Gators entering the game. But people must have been sleeping on the might Florida defense.

Florida picked off Michigan Quarterback Wilton Speight twice, returning both interceptions for touchdowns. Following the second pick six Speight was benched in favor of backup quarterback John O’Korn. The sideline broadcast reported that was “always part of the plan”, but it’s easy enough to say that when your starter is giving away touchdowns.

Here’s No. 1

https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/904082647042990084

And here’s No. 2

Speight did connect with Tarik Black for a 46 yard score. It was the Wolverine’s lone touchdown of the half. Black busted through an obvious missed assignment and caught the ball in stride in the center of the end zone. Speight did get it there, but it’s hard to give him too much credit given the lack of defenders in the area.

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The second half is coming up and it promises to be a defensive struggle. Will Michigan solved the Gator defense? Or will Florida find a way to pull off the upset with a skeleton crew?